X-Message-Number: 16913 Date: Sat, 07 Jul 2001 17:54:08 +1000 From: Simon Carter <> Subject: Re: Simulations: Laws of Physics (#16769) Those who contributed to the discussion on whether we are living in a simulation may be interested in the following paper. Unfortunately it is not available on the WWW: The Planetarium Hypothesis: A Resolution of the Fermi Paradox Stephen Baxter c/o The British Interplanetary Society, 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1SZ, England Email: Abstract: A possible resolution to the Fermi Paradox is that we are living in an artificial universe, perhaps a form of virtual reality 'planetarium', designed to give us the illusion that the universe is empty. Quantum-physical and thermodynamic considerations inform estimates of the energy required to generate such simulations of varying sizes and quality. The perfect simulation of a world containing our present civilisation is within the scope of a Type K3 extraterrestrial culture. However the containment of a coherent human culture spanning ~100 light years within a perfect simulation would exceed the capacities of any conceivable virtual reality generator. Long life, Simon Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=16913